Prehistoric Elephant Family: Partnership

(Deinotheres, Elephants, Mammoths, and Mastodons)

Of the myriad Trunked Mammals who once roamed the earth, only African and Asian Elephants still remain today.  At one time, Proboscids (Trunked Mammals) lived everywhere except Antarctica and Australia.  Spreading from Africa where They originated, these Mammals flourished during the Miocene Period (from 20 million years ago (mya) to 5 mya).  Since many Proboscids were not immune to the cold, only a few survived the Ice Age.

Trunked Mammals have a long complex evolutionary history.  Beginning as small herbivores sixty mya, these Mammals resembled modern Pigmy Hippos.  For example, Moeritherium did look like a small Hippo but possessed a flexible upper lip and snout like an Elephant.  Then a cousin, Deinotherium appeared alongside the Gomphotheres (Early Elephants) about fifteen mya. Many of the Gomphotheres had flat tusks to shovel plants out of soft swampy ground. In addition, They used their trunks to uproot trees.

Mastodons split off from the Elephant Family (which also includes Mammoths). Unlike Mammoths, Mastodons had cheek teeth with low-rounded crowns. Meanwhile, Mammoths had the most highly evolved of elephantine teeth. Because of the grinding surfaces of their teeth, Mammoths could eat grasses whilst Mastodons searched the trees for tender leaves. Mastodons preferred warm climates to the Mammoths’ cold ones.

The Family of Trunked Mammals has been a part of human history from the very beginning.  Both Humans and Proboscids evolved together in Africa.  Later both spread out of Africa to populate the world.  When Paleo-humans needed food and shelter, they hunted Trunked Mammals.  They also built their homes from the bones and hides of various Proboscids. To honor Them, Paleo-peoples painted the likenesses of Mammoths and Mastodons on cave walls.

The infant science of paleontology became advanced through the study of Proboscids’ teeth and bones.  Since Trunked Mammals were widely distributed around the world, early scientists could trace their evolution.  Because Proboscid fossils were plentiful and readily available, early naturalists could learn their craft from these fossils.

Throughout the ages, humans entered into a partnership with various Trunked Mammals.  As each developed, They learned from each other.  Proboscids provided for humans and taught them basic life skills.  In return, Humans honored Them. The lesson of Trunked Mammals is that a partnership is one of equals.  We need to be good partners as They have taught us and protect their living representatives.  Today all that remain are endangered.

Science Note: Manatees, dugongs, and hyraxes are the closest living relatives of elephants. They are descended from Moeritherium.

(Updated from earlier 2010 blog.)

DEINOTHERIUM (Cousin to Elephants): Exercise Your Imagination

The second largest Mammal ever to walk on land was Deinotherium, a cousin to the Early Elephants.  Living during Miocene and Pliocene Periods (20 million years ago (mya) to 2 mya), He belonged to the Deinotheres Family, a sister group to Elephants and Mastodons.  In fact, Deinotherium lived side by side with Them in Africa and Eurasia until the coming of the Ice Age.

            Although Deinotherium resembled an Elephant, He had a shorter and flatter skull.  His notable features were his two tusks that curved downwards from his lower jaw.  The curved shape of his tusks made them perfect for digging for roots and tubers.  Using his tusks, Deinotherium could scrape bark off trees for good.

            In many African sites, Deinotherium fossils have often been found with early Hominids such as Australopithecus.  Later his fossil tusks were discovered on the island of Crete.  (Deinotherium was an excellent swimmer.)  The ancient Greeks uncovered his fossil remains throughout the Greek peninsula.

            From Deinotherium’s bones and teeth, the Greeks imagined monsters and giants.  His odd tusks gave them more splendid ideas for their legends.  Because his skull had a hole in the center (for his trunk), the Greeks believed Deinotherium to be the Cyclops.

            Deinotherium sparks the imagination.  His odd tusks, which curve downwards, can lead us to flights of fantasy.  His huge size gives us pause of how our ancient ancestors lived around Him.  His skull hole formed the ancient myths of the Cyclops.  Let Him help you with your story making.  What myth can Deinotherium inspire next for you?